“There’s something magical about spending this season’s long, dark nights inside the pages of a book. If you’re searching for your next good read, you just might find it at a little free library – possibly one of the two new little libraries in Chittenden County. Vermont has over 20 Little Free Libraries listed on the interactive world map of registered Little Free Libraries. Among them is a library opening this week at 21 Bernard St., in Winooski. That library is sponsored by Marron Holdings owner Ron Stotyn. According to a press announcement, Winooski Mayor Seth Leonard will deliver remarks at a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. It is the first Little Free Library listed in Winooski.” (via Vermont Public Radio)

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“If you use the Internet or carry a smartphone — and let’s face it, that’s almost everyone who’s not off the grid — you probably already know that companies are tracking our movements. Apps track where we shop, the items we search for, and where we like to travel. Companies are gathering as much data as they can, in large part to come up with more effective ads to sell us more stuff, or in the case of the government, to track suspicious activity. In today’s world even your television can track your viewing behavior and send personalized ads to your mobile phone. But at least one local library has been fighting back and taking a stand for personal privacy.” (via Vermont Public Radio)

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November 18, 2015Comments Off on Citing Right To Privacy, New Hampshire Library Offers Untraceable Web Browsingprivacy, Vermont

“Vermont prison inmates who want to do legal research into their cases are finding themselves without the help of a state law librarian. A budget cut approved by lawmakers earlier this year meant the departure of Paul Donovan from the state law library in Montpelier. Donovan had a reputation in Vermont and around the country as a go-to person for inmates with legal research questions. A July 1 letter from Donovan explaining the change was posted on a wall outside a cell at the Southern State Correctional Facility during a legislative committee’s tour last week.” (via AP)

“A nearly $500,000 cut to the Vermont Department of Libraries will likely result in the closure of the state law library. Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee decided to go with the governor’s recommendation to reduce the budget. According to State Librarian Martha Reid, the department is working with a consultant to determine the best way to take the cut, but the brunt of the reduction will be on the state law library. “The law library as we know it, I think it’s pretty clear that it’s going to disappear,” State Librarian Martha Reid said Thursday.” (via Valley News)

“Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library plans to put locks on its public restrooms as a way to discourage people from flushing hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia down the toilets.

“We’re hoping to have this done by the end of the week, as soon as the locksmith can do the work,” head librarian Rubi Simon said Tuesday. Simon said the restrooms, on the mezzanine level of the library, were closed three weeks ago after toilets became backed up with the needles and other drug materials for the third time.” (via Burlington Free Press)